Bids Invited for $5M+ Bridge Painting

The Maryland Transportation Authority is seeking contractors with SSPC-QP 1 and QP 2 certification to clean and paint the Francis Scott Key Bridge over Curtis Bay in Baltimore, MD.

The project cost is estimated at $5 million to $10 million. Bids are due Oct. 10.

Scope of Work

The project includes cleaning and painting the structural steel surfaces of the drawbridge portion of the Key Bridge over Curtis Bay. Contractors will be required to coat the approach spans, two walkways, and steel parapets of the bascule spans along Interstate 695.

Bids are being accepted until Oct. 10 for cleaning and painting of the Francis Scott Key Bridge over Curtis Bay in Baltimore, MD. The total structure is nearly 11 miles long.

In addition, the steel will be abrasive blast-cleaned to Near-White (SSPC-SP 10), spot cleaned to SP 11 (Bare Metal), and recoated with MDSHA System C, which consists of an organic zinc-rich primer, an epoxy intermediate, and a polyurethane finish.

The contractor will also be required to handle installation and removal of all traffic measures and maintenance.

About the Structure

The Francis Scott Key Bridge is the second-longest continuous steel truss in the United States. Including the Curtis Creek Drawbridge and approach ways, the bridge reaches approximately 10.9 miles long, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority (MTA).

On completion, the bridge and approaches were the final links of the Baltimore Beltway.

The idea for the crossing dates to the 1960s, when MTA declared interest in building a single-tube tunnel beneath the Patapsco River. However, bids for the project were significantly higher than the engineering estimates, resulting in alternative plans for a four-lane bridge.

MTA

The Francis Scott Key Bridge, named for the composer, carries about 11.7 million vehicles annually.

Construction on the $60.3 million project began in 1972, and the bridge finally opened on March 23, 1997.

Carrying about 11.7 million vehicles annually, the bridge crosses within 100 yards of the location where scholars believe Francis Scott Key witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry, inspiring him to write the Star Spangled Banner.